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We are often asked not to look directly at any bright source of light. Apart from seeing spots, direct rays from any kind of light source contain harmful radiation, which may cause severe damages to our eyes immediately.
There are several layers in our eyes, and each part of them has its own function. The Cornea is the first layer of our eyes, which receives the light. It is a thin and transparent layer of tissue and acts as a protecting shield to our eye. Arc-Eye or Welder’s Eye is a Cornea related medical condition.
Below you will find everything you need to know about Arc-Eye.
Table of Contents
What is Arc Eye?
Arc-Eye is a painful eye-condition in which our Cornea becomes injured due to direct penetration of intense light. The cornea gets inflamed with bright UltraViolet (UV) rays. It results in irritation, headache and much more severe eye condition. Arc-eye usually occurs when our eyes are not sufficiently protected to eliminate hazardous rays. It is known as many other different terms. Such as:
- Flash burns
- Ultraviolet (UV) burn.
- Photokeratitis
- Welder’s Flash
- Welder’s Eye
- Snow Blindness
According to research by ProGARM, “…57% of electrical workers had the first-hand experience of an Arc Flash incident having experienced or seen someone else suffer a strike during their career.”
Dealing with welding, lasers and fibre optics can often lead to eye and health-related problems. Handling them with caution is a necessary step. Wearing protective gear is compulsory.
To know more about avoiding risky workplace situations that may cause permanent eye damage check out our Workplace Health and Safety training course. This course will warn you and teach you about the possible hazards that you may face and protection against them.
Welding and Eye Hazard
In a welding related workplace, 25% of the injuries are eye related. Welding workers are continuously working with harmful rays and machines. Often workers do not find it necessary to wear safety goggles and necessary PPE due to discomfort and unawareness. This is a compulsory step to wear proper safety dress for workers who are working with hazardous equipment. A number of welding related injuries can happen from which the most common are:
1. Being struck by flying particles and chipped slag
2. Eye burn due to exposure to radiation from ultra violet ray (UV), infrared radiation and intense blue light.
3. Irritation and burn from harmful fumes and chemicals.
Its is mandatory to educate workers who work with welding machines about the danger and how to prevent it.
Causes of having Arc-Eye
Arc Eye can happen due to sudden and direct exposure to an extremely bright light source, resulting in the following situations.
What are the Symptoms of Arc Eye?
Many times the symptoms of arc-eye don’t show at the beginning. But there is a gradual increase in the symptoms. The arc-eye symptoms depend on the intensity of the light, time of exposure and the type of light source. There are different ranges of symptoms that come with Arc Eyes:
How is Arc Eye Diagnosed?
Our eyes are very sensitive, so a small kind of irritation can lead to a severe problem if not treated well. If you feel any of the symptoms accompanied by headaches, you have to take immediate medical care for your eyes.
Furthermore, your eyes may also contain a foreign body particle, which may turn the condition even more severe.
In case you are sure that you caught the Arc eye due to light exposure, do not apply water to the eyes for soothing this may cause further damage. Use cold packs over the eyelid till you get any medical help.
Contact 111 immediately if the exposure was very severe.
The optometrist is an eye specialist. They may discuss your eye and health history, test your eyes and talk about the situation how the light was exposed. They are likely to follow the following steps to diagnose your eyes.
What are the Possible Treatments of Arc Eye?
Curing Arc-Eye also depends on the severity of the exposure. But proper treatment and taking medication from an expert is a necessary step. Here are the possible steps to cure arc-eye:
With proper treatment and medication, typical cases of Arc-Eye heals in 3-4 days. Arc-Eye doesn’t leave any scars with adequate treatment.
How to use eye-drops and ointment:
Self- Help
“According to a study published in the European Journal of Ophthalmology (2005), sodium naproxen, a topical NSAID, effectively controls postoperative inflammation following uncomplicated cataract surgery without the need for corticosteroids (Russo et al., 2005).”
Get Certified at Workplace Health and Safety
This course includes a number of case studies and practical exercises, designed to equip you with real-world, practical skills and techniques that can be applied to a wide range of work settings.
Get Certified at Workplace Health and Safety
This course includes a number of case studies and practical exercises, designed to equip you with real-world, practical skills and techniques that can be applied to a wide range of work settings.
Natural Sources to Sooth Arc-Eye
There are lots of natural ingredients which helps soothe arc-eye pain and also helps in quick healing.
1. Milk:
Milk helps lubricate the eyes and decrease pain. Milk contains lactoferrin, epithelial growth factor (EGF), oligosaccharides, and omega-3 and 6 fatty acids, which can reduce dryness in the eyes and also contributes to healing the cornea tissues.
To take advantage of the milk, dip a clean cotton ball in the milk. Apply the soaked cotton balls directly to the infected eye and leave it for a few minutes. After a while wipe the eye with a clean and wet cloth. Repeat this process twice a day for good results.
2. Potatoes
Potatoes are cooling ingredients and they help reduce inflammation around the affected eye. They also help reduce irritation and itchiness of the eyes. Enzymes in the potato also help decrease any kind of swollen parts of the eye.
For the potato treatment you will need, 1 potato, wash clothes and water. Peel the potato and grate it. Soak the cloth in water and drain off the excess water. Place the grated potato in two lumps on the cloth and keep them 1-2cm apart from each other. Wrap the cloth around the potato lumps properly and place the cloth in the refrigerator until it is cool. Take out the cloth from the refrigerator and put the cloth on the eye, one lump on each eye. Treat the eye like that for fifteen minutes and repeat the process two times a day.
3. Green Tea and Chamomile Tea Bags
Green Tea and Chamomile Tea does an excellent work of soothing inflamed eyes. Green tea is a great source of antioxidants (tannins) that helps cornea related eye problems. Chamomile tea contains antioxidants, anti-inflammatory, and healing properties that can cool down inflammations, irritating skins and also reduce eye problems like blocked tear ducts, conjunctivitis, and extremely dry eyes.
Place used teabags of green tea or chamomile tea in the refrigerator so that it cools down. Place the tea bags on the affected eyes for 15 minutes and for twice a day. You can also drink the tea to heal arc-eye and also to make your eyes healthy.
4. Cucumber
Cucumber acts as a great cooling agent and helps to soothe dry, inflamed and itchy eyes and it also hydrates the eyes. The cooling effect of cucumber helps get relief from most of the irritation that comes from arc-eye.
Take 2 thick slices of cucumber and cool them in a refrigerator. Place the slices over each eye and leave them like that for ten to fifteen minutes. Repeat this two to three times each day.
5. Banana
Banana is a rich source of vitamin C and potassium which helps in healing fatigued and inflamed eyes. Mash the banana into fine pulp and apply the paste close to the eyelids. Leave it for three to five minutes and softly rinse it off with plain water. You can repeat this process once or twice daily.
6. Rose Water
Rose water has antiseptic properties that help in curing eye related conditions. Eye drops that have rose water in them are found to help reduce dry eye condition and conjunctivitis. Soak a cotton ball with rose water and place them on the eyes. Keep it like this for ten minutes and repeat it twice a day.
7. Aloe Vera Gel
One of the most soothing and cooling agents is aloe vera. Extract pure aloe gel or buy a gel and apply it on the eyes. It will not only reduce irritation but also help heal the eyes and redness as it has anti-inflammatory properties.
8. Castor Oil
Castor oil generates lipid production in the eyes, this keeps the eyes moisturized and reduces dryness. Castor oil helps to reduce the irritation that happens due to arc-eye. Appy drops of castor oil in each eye and repeat it once or twice a day.
“According to a Heliyon study (2024), propolis extract from the stingless bee Heterotrigona itama demonstrates photoprotective properties, potentially serving as a natural shield against UV radiation, which is a primary cause of arc-eye (photokeratitis) (Mohan et al., 2024).”
Prevention
Closing Remark
There are many cases of eye injuries in workplaces; several of them are often related to radiation and lights. But taking an injury lightly leads to severe consequences. Even if you know how to treat an Arc-Eye, it is necessary to get treatment from experts and follow their advice.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How serious is arc eye?
Arc eye can be very painful but is usually not permanently serious if treated quickly. It is a burn to the cornea caused by UV light from welding. Without treatment, it can lead to infection, vision issues, or delayed healing, so it should never be ignored.
Can arc eye cause permanent damage?
Arc eye normally heals within 24–48 hours, but severe or repeated exposure can cause long-term sensitivity, scarring, or vision problems. Getting proper care and avoiding repeated UV exposure helps prevent complications.
How do you treat an arc eye?
Arc eye, also called welder’s flash, is an eye injury caused by exposure to bright UV light. To treat arc eye at home, rest your eyes in a dark room and use a clean cold compress to reduce pain and swelling. You can take over-the-counter pain relief such as paracetamol or ibuprofen to help manage discomfort. Avoid rubbing your eyes, and do not wear contact lenses until the irritation has fully settled.
If symptoms continue for more than 24 hours, always seek medical help. A doctor may prescribe antibiotic drops, lubricating eye ointment, or specialised treatment to prevent infection and support healing. Professional care is important if your vision becomes blurry, the pain increases, or if the injury was caused by prolonged UV exposure.
How do you know if you have an arc eye?
You may have arc eye if your eyes start to feel uncomfortable a few hours after exposure to bright UV light, such as welding. Common signs include burning, redness, and a strong urge to rub your eyes. Many people also notice blurred vision, swelling around the eyes, and difficulty keeping the eyes open.
Your eyes may become very sensitive to light, and you might feel as though there is sand or dust trapped inside them. In more serious cases, symptoms can include headaches, watery eyes, and pain that gets worse at night.
If these symptoms appear after welding or UV exposure, it is likely to be arc eye and you should seek medical advice.
Do glasses stop arc eye?
Ordinary glasses or sunglasses do not protect your eyes from arc eye. Arc eye, also called welder’s flash, is caused by intense ultraviolet (UV) light from welding arcs. To prevent it, you must wear properly filtered safety glasses, welding goggles, or a certified welding helmet that blocks UV and infrared rays. Using the correct protective gear every time you weld is essential to avoid painful eye burns, redness, and temporary vision problems.
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